U.S. patent application number 10/128553 was filed with the patent office on 2003-10-30 for handcart having a pivotal deck and method of operating same.
Invention is credited to Lawley, Wade, Seagraves, Steven G..
Application Number | 20030201618 10/128553 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29248490 |
Filed Date | 2003-10-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030201618 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Seagraves, Steven G. ; et
al. |
October 30, 2003 |
Handcart having a pivotal deck and method of operating same
Abstract
A handcart having a deck and a handle is disclosed which deck is
pivotable between a generally horizontal load-carrying position and
a tilted loading/unloading position by pivoting the handle. The
handle is shiftable between first and second positions to lock and
unlock the tilting mechanism. A method of using the subject
handcart is also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Seagraves, Steven G.;
(Caledonia, MS) ; Lawley, Wade; (Fayette,
AL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Joseph W. Berenato, III
Liniak, Berenato, Longacre & White
Ste. 240
6550 Rock Spring Drive
Bethesda
MD
20817
US
|
Family ID: |
29248490 |
Appl. No.: |
10/128553 |
Filed: |
April 24, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
280/79.11 ;
280/47.34 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62B 3/04 20130101; B62B
2203/07 20130101; B62B 3/008 20130101; B62B 5/06 20130101; B62B
3/1476 20130101; B62B 5/0089 20130101; B62B 2203/70 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/79.11 ;
280/47.34 |
International
Class: |
B62B 003/02 |
Claims
1. A handcart, comprising: a cargo deck assembly supported on
running wheels; a pivot assembly supported on running wheels; a
pivot connection rotatably attaching said cargo deck assembly to
said pivot assembly; and a handlebar moveable within a fitting
attached to said pivot assembly, said handlebar including a lock
mechanism that is operated to releaseably lock said pivot
connection to prevent or enable rotation between said cargo deck
and said pivot assembly, said lock mechanism operated in response
to handlebar movement within said fitting.
2. The handcart of claim 1, comprising at least one pivot wheel
attached to said pivot assembly so that said at least one pivot
wheel and said running wheels of the pivot assembly alternately
support said handcart in response to said pivot assembly being
rotated about said pivot connection.
3. The handcart of claim 2 wherein said handcart is supported on at
least two sets of running wheels.
4. The handcart of claim 2 wherein said handcart is supported on at
least two sets of running wheels and at least one pivot wheel.
5. The handcart of claim 1 wherein said handlebar is slideably
retained within said fitting.
6. The handcart of claim 5 wherein said fitting is a tubular member
attached to said pivot assembly.
7. The handcart of claim 6 wherein said lock mechanism includes a
hook that engages a lock bar attached to said cargo deck
assembly.
8. The handcart of claim 7 comprising at least one pivot wheel
attached to said pivot assembly so that said at least one pivot
wheel and said running wheels of the pivot assembly alternately
support said handcart in response to said pivot assembly being
rotated about said pivot connection.
9. The handcart of claim 8 wherein said handlebar is moved to slide
within said tubular member to a position that disengages said hook
from said lock bar so that said at least one pivot wheel attached
to said pivot assembly may be rotated about said pivot connection,
said rotated at least one pivot wheel rotated to support said
handcart, lift said running wheels of the pivot assembly away from
a support position, and tilt said cargo deck assembly in a forward
direction.
10. A method for delivering a load using a handcart having a first
handcart portion coupled to a second handcart portion where the
handcart is selectively supported on at least two sets of running
wheels and at least one pivot wheel, the steps of the method
comprising: providing a rigid handcart by adjusting the position of
a handlebar within a sliding fitting attached to said second
handcart portion to engage a lock mechanism that rigidly couples
said first handcart portion to a second handcart portion;
positioning a load on said first handcart portion; rolling said
rigid handcart toward a selected unloading site; converting said
rolling rigid handcart to an articulated handcart by adjusting the
position of said handlebar within said sliding fitting to disengage
said lock mechanism so that said first handcart portion is flexibly
coupled to said second handcart portion; applying a force to said
rolling articulated handcart that rotates said pivot wheel to a
position that supports said handcart and tilts said first handcart
portion in a forward direction; stopping said rolling articulated
handcart having a tilted first handcart portion; and discharging
said load from said tilted first handcart portion.
11. The method recited in claim 10 whereby said pivot wheel is
rotated by applying a force to said handlebar.
12. The method recited in claim 10 whereby said rigid handcart is
moved by rolling said handcart on at least two sets of running
wheels.
13. The method recited in claim 10 whereby said articulated
handcart is moved by rolling said handcart on at least one set of
running wheels and at least one pivot wheel.
14. The method recited in claim 10 including the step of suddenly
stopping said rolling handcart and using energy in said moving load
to at least partially discharge said load from said tilted first
handcart portion.
15. The method recited in claim 10 whereby said pivot wheel is
rotated to a position that supports said handcart and tilts said
first handcart portion in a forward direction is carried out when
said handcart is not rolling.
16. A cart comprising: a first wheeled assembly including a
load-bearing platform, at least one support wheel and a keeper; a
second wheeled assembly pivotably connected to said first wheeled
assembly and including at least one support wheel; and a handle
attached to said second wheeled assembly and including a catch,
said handle being shiftable between a first position wherein said
keeper retains said catch and a second position wherein said keeper
is spaced from said catch.
17. The cart of claim 16 wherein said keeper comprises an
upstanding wall.
18. The cart of claim 16 wherein said catch comprises a hook.
19. The cart of claim 16 wherein said load bearing platform lies in
a first plane and said handle is shiftable in a direction normal to
said first plane.
20. The cart of claim 19 wherein said handle is pivotable about an
axis parallel to said first plane when said handle is in said
second position.
21. The cart of claim 20 wherein said second wheeled assembly
includes at least one pivot wheel adapted to engage a surface
supporting said cart when said handle is pivoted about said
axis.
22. A cart comprising: a first wheeled assembly including a
load-bearing platform and at least one support wheel; a second
wheeled assembly pivotably connected to said first wheeled assembly
and including at least one support wheel and at least one pivot
wheel; and a handle attached to said second wheeled assembly, said
handle being pivotable about a first axis between a first position
in which said first wheel engages a surface supporting said cart
and a second position wherein said second wheel engages said
surface.
23. The cart of claim 22 wherein said first wheel is spaced from
said surface when said handle is in said second position.
24. The cart of claim 22 wherein said second wheel is spaced from
said surface when said handle is in said first position.
25. The cart of claim 22 including locking means for locking said
first wheeled assembly with respect to said second wheeled
assembly.
26. The cart of claim 22 wherein said one of said first wheeled
assembly and said second wheeled assembly includes a keeper and
wherein the other of said first wheeled assembly and said second
wheeled assembly includes a catch.
27. The cart of claim 26 wherein said keeper is mounted on said
handle.
28. A method of moving a load comprising the steps of: providing a
cart including a first wheeled assembly having a load-bearing
platform and least one support wheel, a second wheeled assembly
pivotably connected to said first wheeled assembly and having at
least one support wheel, a handle attached to said second wheeled
assembly, and a lock for locking said first assembly with respect
to said second assembly; moving said handle to a first position to
unlock said first assembly from said second assembly; pivoting said
handle to lower an edge of said platform; placing a load on said
platform; pivoting said handle to raise said edge of said platform;
and moving said handle to a second position to lock said first
assembly to said second assembly.
29. The method of claim 28 including the additional step of moving
said cart from a first location to a second location.
30. The method of claim 29 including the additional steps of moving
said handle to said first position, pivoting said handle to lower
said edge of said platform and removing said load from said
platform.
31. The method of claim 30 including the additional steps of
pivoting said handle to raise said edge of said platform and moving
said handle to said second position.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention is directed to a handcart for use in
transporting and unloading heavy loads such as baled materials,
packaged wares, loaded pallets, and the like, and in particular, to
a handcart having a pivotable cargo deck suited for receiving,
transporting, and unloading baled materials prepared in a baling
machine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A wide range of handcarts and hand trucks are known from the
prior art that are designed to reduce the strain and labor
associated with loading, transporting and unloading bulk materials
in industrial, retail, and warehouse operations. Some of these
devices include a pivot mechanism that facilitates the lifting and
transporting of heavy bulk materials. For example, U.S. Pat. No.
3,826,512 to Palmer discloses a cart that includes a cargo deck
adapted to pivot between a tilted loading position, in which the
front edge of the cargo deck is lowered to facilitate the loading
of goods, and a horizontal position for transporting goods.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,593,271 to Hall discloses a convertible
barrow with a cargo deck that shifts between a lowered horizontal
loading position and a raised horizontal transporting position.
[0003] Such devices reduce strain associated with loading heavy
loads onto handcart decks. However, these devices either include no
locking mechanism to control the shifting of the cargo deck between
loading and unloading positions or use complicated locking
mechanisms that require a user to stop the cart, remove at least
one hand from the cart handle and manipulate the lock with his hand
or, alternately, using his foot. This need to stop the moving
handcart prevents operators from using the energy of the moving
cart to facilitate discharging the goods from its cargo deck. For
example, if Palmer's moving cart could be unlocked shortly before
it reaches the unloading site, the cargo deck could be tilted to
its lowered position and the momentum of the moving goods could be
used to discharge the goods from the cart. Prior art tilting
handcarts provide either hand or foot operated locking devices that
can only be operated safely when the carts are stationary. It would
therefore be desirable to provide a handcart that shifts between a
horizontal carrying position and a tilted loading and unloading
position, which cart can be locked in the carrying position with an
easy-to-use handle-actuated mechanism that can optionally be
engaged and disengaged while the cart is in motion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] These problems and others are addressed by the present
invention which comprises a handcart having a handle and a support
platform with a front edge that can be lowered to facilitate
loading by pivoting the cart handle downwardly away from the cart
and raised by returning the handle to a vertical position. In the
preferred embodiment, the handle includes a catch mechanism that
prevents it from pivoting until it is lifted by a user to release
the catch from a keeper on another portion of the cart.
Alternately, the keeper could be located on the handle and the
catch associated with the support platform. In this manner, the
pivoting mechanism can be locked and unlocked without the user
removing his hands from the cart handle. The cart of the preferred
embodiment includes a support platform or cart deck supported by
one or more pairs of support wheels and a pivot mechanism supported
by at least one wheel and pivotably connected to the cart deck. The
pivot mechanism further includes a pivot wheel extending from the
pivot mechanism in a direction opposite from the cart deck which
pivot wheel engages the ground and serves as a fulcrum when the
handle is pivoted downwardly. This motion also raises the pivot
mechanism support wheel from the ground.
[0005] It is therefore a principal object of the present invention
to provide a carrier having a front edge that can be moved relative
to the ground.
[0006] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
cart having a deck that can be shifted between a generally
horizontal transport position and an angled loading position.
[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
cart having a handle and a deck that can be shifted between a
generally horizontal transport position and an angled loading
position and selectively locked in the former position by
manipulating the cart handle.
[0008] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide a handcart having a locking handlebar arrangement that is
operated to lock or unlock a tilting cargo deck.
[0009] It is still a further object of the present invention to
provide a handcart with a tilting cargo deck capable of being
locked or unlocked when the handcart is moving.
[0010] It is yet another additional object of the present invention
to provide a handcart having a pivot connection positioned between
two sets of running wheels.
[0011] It is an additional object of the present invention to
provide an improved method for discharging a load from a
handcart.
[0012] In satisfaction of the foregoing objects and advantages, the
present invention provides a handcart comprising a cargo deck
assembly supported on running wheels, a pivot assembly supported on
running wheels and a pivot connection rotatably attaching the cargo
deck assembly to the pivot assembly. The cart further includes a
handlebar moveable within a fitting attached to the pivot assembly
and a lock mechanism that is operated to releaseably lock the pivot
connection to prevent or enable rotation between the cargo deck and
the pivot assembly. The lock mechanism operates in response to
handlebar movement within the fitting.
[0013] Another aspect of the invention comprises a cart having a
first wheeled assembly including a load-bearing platform, at least
one support wheel and a keeper which first assembly is pivotably
connected to a second wheeled assembly including at least one
support wheel. A handle is attached to the second wheeled assembly
and includes a catch and is shiftable between a first position
wherein the keeper retains the catch and a second position wherein
the keeper is spaced from the catch.
[0014] A further aspect of the invention comprises a cart having a
first wheeled assembly including a load-bearing platform and at
least one support wheel and a second wheeled assembly pivotably
connected to the first wheeled assembly and having at least one
support wheel and at least one pivot wheel. A handle is attached to
the second wheeled assembly and is pivotable about a first axis
between a first position in which the first wheel engages a surface
supporting the cart and a second position wherein the second wheel
engages the surface.
[0015] A method for delivering a load using a handcart having a
first handcart portion coupled to a second handcart portion,
wherein the handcart is selectively supported on at least two sets
of running wheels and at least one pivot wheel, is also disclosed.
The method includes the steps of providing a rigid handcart by
adjusting the position of a handlebar within a sliding fitting
attached to the second handcart portion to engage a lock mechanism
that rigidly couples the first handcart portion to a second
handcart portion and thereafter positioning a load on the first
handcart portion. Next, the rigid handcart is rolled toward a
selected unloading site. The rigid handcart is then converted to an
articulated handcart by adjusting the position of the handlebar
within the sliding fitting to disengage the lock mechanism so that
the first handcart portion is flexibly coupled to the second
handcart portion. A force is applied to the rolling articulated
handcart to rotate the pivot wheel to a position that supports the
handcart and tilts the first handcart portion in a forward
direction. Lastly, the handcart is stopped and the load is
discharged.
[0016] Finally, a method of moving a load is disclosed that
includes the steps of providing a cart having a first wheeled
assembly having a load-bearing platform and least one support wheel
and a second wheeled assembly pivotably connected to the first
wheeled assembly and having at least one support wheel. A handle is
attached to the second wheeled assembly, and a lock for locking the
first assembly with respect to the second assembly is provided. The
handle is moved to a first position to unlock the first assembly
from the second assembly and pivoted to lower an edge of the
platform. Next, a load is placed on the platform and the handle is
pivoted to raise the edge of the platform. Lastly, the handle is
moved to a second position to lock the first assembly to the second
assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The above and other objects, advantages, and novel features
of the present invention will become apparent from the following
detailed description of the invention illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a handcart having a lockable
pivot mechanism according to the present invention which handcart
is shown with a portion of the handcart handlebar cut away.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a cross-section view taken along line 2-2 of FIG.
1.
[0020] FIG. 3A is a side elevational view of the lockable pivot
mechanism of claim 1 in a locked position with the cart deck
horizontal.
[0021] FIG. 3B is side elevational view of the lockable pivot
mechanism of claim 1 in an unlocked position with the cart deck
horizontal.
[0022] FIG. 3C is side elevational view of the lockable pivot
mechanism of claim 1 in an unlocked position with the cart deck
tilted.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the handcart of FIG. 2
with the handle in the lowered position.
[0024] FIGS. 5A-5J show various steps of a method for using the
present handcart invention to transport a load.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of
the handcart of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] The following detailed description of the present invention
is directed to a handcart for use in transporting and unloading
heavy loads such as baled materials, packaged wares, loaded
pallets, and the like, to a delivery site. Referring now to the
drawings, wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating
a preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for the
purpose of limiting same, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a handcart 1 having a
wheeled cargo deck assembly 2, a wheeled pivot assembly 3 fastened
to the cargo deck assembly, and a handlebar 4 including a lock
mechanism 5 that is operable to selectively allow tilting of the
cargo deck 2. The handlebar 4 is broken away in FIG. 1 so that the
pivot assembly 3 may be seen more clearly.
[0027] The cargo deck assembly 2 comprises a deck plate 6 supported
on a structural framework that includes longitudinal side rails 7,
a plurality of transverse channel members 9 that extend across the
cargo deck below deck plate 6, and intermediate longitudinal rails
8 spaced apart between the side rails 7 and the channel members 9.
The tilting cargo deck assembly is supported on at least one set of
running wheels 10 rotatably fastened to the side rails 7 and/or
intermediate rails 8 at a location proximate the front-end of the
cargo deck opposite the handlebar 4 which is attached to the pivot
mechanism at the rear end of the deck. The pivot assembly 3 is
supported on a second set of running wheels 11 positioned rearward
with respect to a pivot connection 12 that rotatably couples the
pivot assembly 3 to the tilting cargo deck assembly 2. Because the
pivot connection 12 is located between the two sets of running
wheels, the handlebar lock mechanism 5 may be selectively operated
to unfasten the tilting cargo deck 2 and thereby provide
independent suspension between the tilting cargo deck and pivot
assemblies 2 and 3 respectively. Such independent suspension may
enable the tilting cargo deck assembly 2 and the pivot assembly 3
to separately navigate over certain surface irregularities such as
ramps encountered between loading and unloading sites.
[0028] The pivot assembly 3 includes one or more pivot wheels 13
rotatably mounted within a yoke assembly 14 extending in a rearward
direction (away from deck 2) from the above pivot connection 12.
Each yoke assembly 14 is rotatably fastened to the tilting cargo
deck assembly 2 at its respective pivot connection 12 with a pivot
pin 15 (FIG. 2) that extends through apertures provided in the
tilting cargo deck structural framework, for example the
longitudinal side rails 7 and/or the longitudinal intermediate
rails 8. Each yoke assembly further includes a tubular member 16
adapted to receive and slidably retain therein integral leg
portions 4a of handlebar 4. A mounting plate 17 extends between the
spaced apart yoke assemblies 14, and the mounting plate is fixed to
the yoke assemblies by welding, bolting, or other suitable means.
One or more holes 18 (FIG. 2) are drilled through mounting plate 17
at spaced apart locations to correspond with the tubular members
16. The drilled holes 18 are positioned to receive handlebar leg
portions 4a extending through the tubular members 16, and an end
cap 19 is fixed to the bottom end of each leg portion 4a to capture
the handlebar legs within their respective tubular members and
corresponding drilled holes 16 and 18. Other suitable means, such
as pins extending through the pipes, could also be used for
slidably retaining ends 4a of the handlebar in the tubular
members.
[0029] The second set of running wheels 11, comprising at least a
single running wheel, and preferably two or more running wheels, is
fastened to the mounting plate 17. The first set of running wheels
10, located toward the front-end of the tilting cargo deck assembly
2, and the second set of running wheels 11, attached to the pivot
assembly 3, cooperate so that the tilting cargo deck assembly is
rigidly supported on the running wheels 10 and 11 when the
handlebar lock mechanism 5 is operated to lock the pivot connection
12 by engaging the tilting cargo deck assembly, and the tilting
cargo deck assembly is flexibly supported on the running wheels 10
and 11 when the handlebar lock mechanism 5 is operated to unlock
pivot connection 12 by disengaging the tilting cargo deck
assembly.
[0030] In the preferred embodiment the handlebar 4 is U-shaped and
includes a pair of handlebar legs 4a integrally formed with a
crosspiece 4b extending between the upper ends of the legs. Each
leg member 4a has one end inserted through one of the tubular
members 16 that is attached to one of the corresponding yoke
assemblies 14, and also through one of the corresponding holes 18
extending through the mounting plate 17. The end caps 19 are
fastened to the ends of each handle bar leg member 4a to prevent
the inserted legs from being pulled upwardly through the mounting
plate holes 18 or the tubular members 16. The resulting sliding
connection between the handlebar legs and the pivot assembly
provides an arrangement for operating the lock mechanism 5 by
either pulling or pushing handlebar 4 to raise or lower the
handlebar as shown at arrow 20 (FIG. 2) to disengage or engage lock
mechanism 5. End caps 19 limit the length of the pulled or pushed
handlebar stroke by providing a stop that engages against the
bottom surface of mounting plate 17. The handlebar lock mechanism
includes at least one catch or hook 21 positioned to engage a
keeper such as lock bar 22 when the handlebar pushed downward to a
locking position, and disengage the 20 lock bar 22 when handlebar 4
is pulled upward to an unlocked position. Lock bar 22 is fixed to
the tilting cargo deck assembly 2 so that when hook 21 engages lock
bar 22, the pivot connection 12 is locked to prevent rotation,
thereby fixing the cargo deck assembly to prevent tilting.
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 3A-3C, showing an enlarged view of the
lock mechanism, when handlebar 4 is pushed downward to its lowered
locking position, as shown at arrow 20a (FIG. 3A), the first set of
running wheels 10 and the second set of running wheels 11 cooperate
to support the cargo deck assembly 2. When the tilting cargo deck
is locked in its load transporting position, as shown in FIG. 3A,
the mouth portion 23 of hook 21 engages lock bar 22 and prevents
the cargo deck assembly 2 from rotating about the pivot connection.
The locked pivot connection 12 also prevents rotation of the yoke
assemblies 14 so that pivot wheels 13 are held at their rearward
position, to prevent the pivot wheels from contacting the ground 24
when a load is being moved. Referring to FIG. 3B, if the handcart
encounters a change in surface elevation, the handlebar may be
pulled upward (arrow 20b) to disengage hook 21 from the lock bar 22
and thereby unlock the pivot connection 12 so that the tilting
cargo deck assembly 2 and the pivot assembly 3 are free to rotate
about the pivot connection. Because the unlocking operation may be
preformed without removing an operators hands from the handlebar,
the tilting cargo deck assembly may be unlocked to provide
flexibility while the handcart is moving toward either a loading or
unloading site. When handcart 1 is moved in its unlocked condition,
the pivot wheels 13 may or may not contact the ground surface 24
depending upon particular loading and surface conditions.
[0032] Similarly, when the handcart of the present invention
reaches an unloading site, the lock mechanism 5 is disengaged, as
disclosed above for FIG. 3B. However, as shown in FIG. 3C, when the
rolling handcart is near, or when the rolling handcart has finally
reached its unloading site and the handcart is stopped, a combined
rearward and downward rotational force is applied against handlebar
4 so that pivot assembly 3 rotates about pivot connection 12. The
applied rotational force engages pivot wheels 13 against the ground
or other support surface 24, and the continuing application of
force tilts the cargo deck assembly 2 toward its front end to
facilitate unloading. FIG. 4 shows the handcart in this unloading
position.
[0033] FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the invention. The same
reference numerals are used in this Figure to identify elements
common to both embodiments. In this embodiment, cargo deck assembly
2 includes a second set of running wheels 26 in addition to first
set of running wheels 10. The second set of running wheels provides
additional support for the cargo deck and may be useful when
transporting particularly heavy loads, but otherwise does not
affect the functioning of the handcart.
EXAMPLE
[0034] Referring to FIGS. 5A-5J, a series of steps are shown for
loading and delivering a load using the present handcart invention.
In FIG. 5A, handcart 1 is prepared to receive a load by operating
the lock mechanism 5 to engage hook 21 against lock bar 22. This
prevents rotation about pivot connection 12 and tilting of cargo
deck assembly 2. The locked handcart 1 is then rolled toward a
loading site to receive a load. Referring to FIG. 5B, in this
example, handcart 1 is pushed into the discharge end of a scrap
bailer 27 to receive a load of bailed scarp material 28. Such scrap
bailers are manufactured by, for example, the Marathon Equipment
Company. However, it should be understood that the scrap bailer
shown in FIGS. 5B and 5J is only exemplary, and that the scope of
the invention includes any type load loaded onto the present
handcart invention.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 5C, after a load 28 is placed on the
tilting cargo deck 2, the loaded handcart is rolled toward an
unloading site on its running wheels 10 and 11. Because the locked
handcart 1 is supported on at least two sets of running wheels,
load placement is not critical with respect to balancing the load
on the cargo deck as compared to prior art handcarts on which the
load is balanced on a single set of running wheels.
[0036] When the loaded handcart 1 approaches an unloading site
(FIG. 5D), and while the handcart 1 may continue to roll on its
running wheels 10 and 11 toward the unloading site, the handlebar 4
is pulled upward as shown at arrow 20b to disengage hook 21 from
lock bar 22 and unlock the pivot connection 12. A combined rearward
and downward rotational force is applied against the unlocked
handlebar 4 so that the pivot assembly 3 rotates about the pivot
connection 12, as shown by arrow 20c in FIG. 5E. The applied
rotational force engages pivot wheels 13 against the ground 24, and
the continuing rotational force may drive the pivot wheels 13 in a
forward direction and raise and tilt the cargo deck assembly 2
toward its front end. When the tilted handcart 1 reaches the
unloading site 29, shown in FIGS. 5F and 5G, it is stopped (FIG.
5F), and the energy of the forward moving load 28 facilitates
discharging at least a portion of the load from the tilted cargo
deck assembly 2. If load 28 is not completely discharged from the
tilted deck 2 as shown in FIG. 5F, the tilted deck 2 is easily
pulled from beneath load 28 as illustrated in FIG. 5G.
[0037] After load 28 is removed from the tilted cargo deck assembly
2, handlebar 4 is rotated in an upward and forward direction, as
shown by the arrow 20d in FIG. 5H, to return the handlebar to the
locking position shown in FIG. 51, where the handlebar is pushed in
a downward direction to engage hook 21 against lock bar 22.
Referring to FIG. 5J, after handlebar 4 is pushed in a downward
direction to engage the lock hook 21 against lock bar 22, the cargo
deck assembly 2 is ready for insertion into the scrap bailer 27 to
receive a new load 28, or handcart 1 is ready to receive a
different load from a different loading site.
[0038] It should be understood that while this invention has been
described in terms of a preferred embodiment, it is capable of
further modifications, uses, and/or adaptations following the
general principles of the invention set forth above. All such
departures from the present disclosure that fall within known or
customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and
as may be applied to the central features hereinbefore set forth,
are intended to be included within this invention to the extent
they are included within the scope of the several claims appended
hereto.
* * * * *